Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/416

302 over the dread Medusa, slays the monster of the deep, and rescues the fair Andromeda.

This universal victory of humanity over the animal world, depicted in the constellations, is one of the chief features of these time-honoured configurations, and is clearly indicative of the fact that the ancient star groups are the product of design and not chance.

Perseus, because of his gallantry, is known as "the Knight Errant of Mythology." The hero was the son of Jupiter and Danaë, and the favourite of the gods. His successful encounter with the Medusa rendered his name immortal, and at his death, it is said, he was transported to the starry skies, where he appears with upraised sword, holding the severed head of the Medusa up to the gaze of all mankind, for all time.

Plunket is of the opinion that the constellation was invented about 1433, as at that time the star Algol, the well-known variable and most interesting star in the constellation, exactly marked the equinoctial meridian.

"The northern latitude 40° N., suitable for the imagining of this constellation, and the name 'Perseus' seem to point," says Plunket, "to an Iranian school of astronomers as the probable originators of this figure."

Aratos, in an allusion to Perseus, describes him as "stirring up the dust in heaven," so great was his haste to rescue Andromeda. It has been suggested that the dust may be represented by the Milky Way, in a part of which the constellation is located.

Without doubt the story of Perseus was well known in Greece anterior to the 5th century, for Euripides and Sophocles each wrote a drama based on Andromeda's history.

The Arabs called the constellation "Bearer of the Demon's Head," which is represented by the star β Persei, known generally as "Algol." Perseus has also been called "the Rescuer," and "the Destroyer." Dr. Seiss regards the figure as symbolising the Redeemer of Mankind, and others